Absignob of



G. W. PERO.

10.387,916. l Patented Aug. 14, '1888.

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GEORGE XV. Pi 10, OF TEST NEV BRIGHTON, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO E. D. CLARK, OF SAME PLAGE CARmCOUFLlNG.

CfFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,916, dated ,August 14, 1888.

.Application filed Mayl, ISES. Serial 275,146. (No modell To LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it knowr that I, Geenen W. Puno, of Nest Xew lrighton, in thc county of Richmond and Slate ol' New York, have invented certain neuand useful improvements in Automatic Car-Couplings; and l. do hereby dcclare the following to be a `full, clear, and eX- act description otl the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which i'orms part of this spccilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic car-couplings; and the object of my invention is to place a spring-actuated linkpiu in the hook itself, so that the latch always moves with the hook, and which latch, after the hook is closed, locks it in position.

The accompanying drawing represents a horizontal section ol' a coupler embodying my invention, the parts being shown in one posi-A tion in solid lines and in another position in dotted lines.

A represents lhc draw-head,which may be of any desired shape or construction that may be desired, and in which the hook I3 is pivotcd by means of he holt C. This boltis placed about the center ol' the hook, so that the hook will turn l'recly thereon in opening and clos ing, and thus prevent any unnecessary strain from being brought to bear upon this bolt. 1When the hook is opened, as shown in solid lines, ils outer side strikes against the projecting point fl) upon the draw'hcad, and thus prevenls it from opening any farther. Vheu the hook is closed, it strikes against the head at the hack of the recess. "While the hook is closed and the latch is in an operative position, this pivotal pin or bolt C can be removed, and the hook will still remain in p0- sition, being held by thc spring actuated latehing-bolt.

Through the inner portion of the hookis formed a suitable opening, and through the rear edge ol' the hool; is formed a recess, G, which intersects the opening` il, in which the latching-holt I is placed. This bolt l is passed through the opening J, made through one side of the d rawhead A., and through the opening H in the hook and through the coil-spring O, which is placed in the recess G. One end of this latching bolt I being larger than the other, one end of the spring bears against the shoulder' upon the bolt, while the other bears against the side ol' the recess, as shown. When the bolt li is drawn backward, by means of a chain or other device connected thereto, the spring O returns the bolt to position as soon as it is left free to move. Vhen the hook is opened, the end of the bolt projects beyond the end of the hook, as shown; and when the hook is closed by the running together of the cars the point ol" the bolt is forced backward through the hook until its point reaches the offset or shoulder i?, when it instantly' snaps out and locks the hook in this position. W'hilc the hoolr` is in this position, the latching-bolt extends across from the shoulder P, and the front side of the opening J, and the whole strain upon the hook is then transferred to this bolt. As above stated,whilc the hook is thus held thc pivotal bolt or pin C can be removed and the hook will still remain in position. Should thc spiral spring be disengaged 0r broken, the coupler can be made perfect-ly secure by fastening the bolt in placcbya wire, string, or any other material. As the strain upon the spring is very slight, there is little danger, however, that it will ever become broken or injured. if it should become injured, it can bc at once removed by removing the hook from the draw-head.

This coupler can he made much lighter than others of the same type, as there are fewer parts. Another advantage is the perfect pro tection of the Working parts from snow and icc. The only part which can possibly become coated with ice is the end of the bolt or latch, and the driving back of thc latch by the closing action of the hook will entirely remove any substance which may accumulate upon the bolt.

This heel: is adapted te make connection with the old form of link and pin in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention, I Claim-- 1. In a cancoupling, the combination of a pivoted hook with an automatic latchingbolt upon the hook is transferred to the bolt, sub- 1o Which passes through the hook and moves stantiallyas set forth. therewith, substantially as shown and de- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in scribed. l presence of two witnesses.

2. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook placed therein, and the spring- GEORGE W' PERO' actuated bolt which passes through the hook Witnesses: and engageswith the shoulders upon opposite EDWARD D. CLARK, sides of the draw-head, whereby the strain FRED E. BROWN. 

